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ROGERS CITY -- The Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce will help Rogers City officials implement the city's economic development plan and participate in the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Michigan Main Street Program, which assists communities interested in revitilizing and preserving their downtowns.
Chamber President Brent Osterhout said Chamber officials will develop training opportunities for businesses, which was recommended by Joe Borgstrom, the consultant with the East Lansing-based firm Place and Main who drafted the city's new economic development plan.
"What we have been tasked with, for the most part, is just working with employers as far as what can we do to help with employee training, education and things like that," Osterhout said.
Osterhout said the Chamber would also help connect businesses with prospective employees, develop materials about what jobs are available locally, and identify sources of training for businesses or their employees.
He said Borgstrom also recommended forming a city convention and visitors bureau.
The average age of a Rogers City resident is 53.7, according to the economic development plan, and the city is estimated to lose 22% of its population -- or about 800 people -- by 2024.
Rogers City officials hope implementing the economic development plan will help fill the city's vacant storefronts, attract younger talent and families to the city, bolster existing businesses, attract new businesses, and increase tourism.
Mayor Scott McLennan said he has met with Chamber representatives to discuss their involvement in the plan. He said each step outlined in the plan is a proven method for enhancing and revitalizing the community.
"Everybody in the community has to play a part in this -- whether it's businesses, whether it's the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Development Authority, the city, etc. -- everyone has to be a part of this," he said. "It's not City Council making this happen. It's not going to magically happen unless we have support from all of these areas, and the people that I've talked to are certainly on board."